Deyaa Alrwishdi

Deyaa Alrwishdi profile picture

S.J.D. Candidate
dalrwishdi@sjd.law.harvard.edu

Dissertation

Toward a Legal Standard to Regulate Non-State Actors’ Exercise of Government Functions

My dissertation focuses on regulating non-state actors’ (NSA) exercise of government functions in situations of incumbent government’s failure. This includes cases of armed conflicts and other emergencies that render the incumbent government ineffective and create constitutional and administrative vacuums. To that end, my dissertation studies different NSA governance systems established during situation of government’s failure, examines their role during constitutional rupture, and seeks to reconcile their government actions with the concept of state sovereignty. In brief, my dissertation aims at determining when and under what circumstances, if ever, NSAs’ exercise of government functions should be recognized as a matter of law.

Fields of Research and Supervisors

  • Conception of Sovereignty in International Law with Professor Gabriella Blum, Harvard Law School, Principal Faculty Supervisor
  • The Exercise of Government Functions during Constitutional Rupture with Professor Vicki Jackson, Harvard Law School
  • Non-State Actors’ Governance during Armed Conflicts with Professor Zachariah Mampilly, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, CUNY
  • The Role of Human Rights Law in Regulating NSA Governance with Gerald Neuman, Harvard Law School

Additional Research Interests

  • Public International Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Laws of Armed Conflict
  • Law and Development
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

Education

  • Harvard Law School, S.J.D. Candidate 2022
  • Harvard Law School, LL.M. Program, 2021-2022 (requirement fulfilled, degree waived)
  • American University School of Public Affairs, M.P.A. 2021
  • American University Washington College of Law, LL.M. 2017 Damascus University, Syria, LL.B. 2010

Academic Appointments and Fellowships

  • American University Washington College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, 2020-present
  • Columbia University, PILnet Global Fellow, 2015-2016
  • Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Leaders for Democracy Fellow, 2014

Additional Information

  • Languages: English (fluent), Arabic (native)

Last Updated: August 18th, 2022